Warning: This article contains graphic sexual content.
Texans from across the state protested inappropriate literature in children’s libraries at the Houston Independent School District board meeting Tuesday evening.
Notably, several speakers were shut down by the school board when quoting profane and vulgar language in the books, with the Houston ISD Board President Audrey Momanaee reminding the speakers that “there are children in the room.”
Emelie Schmidt, who struggled with gender dysphoria as a teenager and was encouraged by her school to embrace her “trans” identity, has become an outspoken advocate of protecting children from inappropriate content. Schmidt testified before the board about “Gender Queer,” which can be found in several Houston ISD libraries.
This book is a graphic novel where the author depicts sexual images. On page 167, she depicts a child sucking on another child’s penis. There are many other pornographic drawings throughout this graphic novel.
“I ask you all to please think about why this graphic novel is suitable for children,” said Schmidt.
Ashley Martinez brought concerns to the board about a book called “House of Sky and Breath,” available at Chavez High School. Martinez started to read a section of the book, but was quickly interrupted by a board member reminding her that there is no profanity allowed in the boardroom.
“Ma’am, this book is in the school, and I can’t speak it out here? How does it make sense if my 13 and 14-year-old can access this book?” Martinez questioned.
Martinez continued to read, but the board canceled her time.
“I want to bring your attention to some books that we found on your website that kids have access to and it’s straight pornography,” said Pastor Richard Vega with At His Feet Ministries. “It’s extreme sexual vulgarity and sexual content.”
One of the books he raised concern over was “Let’s Talk About it,” a graphic novel which features nude characters performing sex acts. It also instructs children on masturbation and pornography.
Another book, called “Trans+: Love, Sex, Romanance, and Being You,” includes QR codes that children can scan with a phone to take them to internet sites. According to Vega, “One of those scans takes you to a page called f[]ing a trans woman, and another one takes you to how to buy a dildo, how to get strap ons, and how to have sex with different people.”
“This is completely educationally unsuitable and what I want to know is—because I was able to access this in Chavez High School, also able to access in Jones, I was able to access at Milby—why is this allowed in our schools?” Vega asked.
Why are we spending money on these types of books and not on resources for our children? Why is this type of stuff [not] being stopped so we can be able to give our kids tutoring and get them back on grade level?
Daniel Rodriguez questioned the board about why a book entitled “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” is in eight high schools.
Rodriguez began to read from the book, stating, “It goes on to say, on page 59, ‘Are you going to eat her p[]ssy?’”
He was immediately warned not to speak profanity by President Momanaee. When he continued reading from the book, his speaking time was canceled by the board.
Rodney McCoy raised concerns about the book “Jesus Land: A Memoir.”
McCoy read, “As I stare at Scott’s penis, wanting to lick it like a lollipop, I hear the giggles of girls talking about blow jobs they’ve given at school. As I put Scott’s penis in my mouth. I feel something slimy squirt into my mouth.”
“It’s disgusting, absolutely disgusting,” he said. “If I were to sit down and read this to a child, I would be put in jail. So why is it allowed?”
Julian Herrera focused on the book “Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts),” taking issue with various themes and language in the book, including “massaging and touching girls’ bodies without their consent, saying pussies are gross.” The book also describes a “virginity wish list,” which includes “jerking someone off, giving a blow job, getting a blow job, top, bottom, playing with a sex toy, and even being blindfolded while someone went down on me, and threesome.”
By this point, Board President Momanaee told the audience, “If anyone else is going to read from something—there are children in the room—I’m going to ask that you please identify the book name, okay, so that we can actually understand what you’re talking about, and, number two, announce the fact that you’re about to read from a book, so that the parents who have children in this room can make a decision about whether they want to leave their kids in here.”
Raul Reza told the board, “I don’t believe I have to read any more quotes, because I think the points have been proven.”
“I believe that our children are getting attacked from all sides,” said Reza. “We as parents, as a community, have a daily battle with society and the neighborhoods that we grew up in and the way we grew up, right? I’ve actually, like my brother said, some of this literature wouldn’t be allowed in a prison system, and it’s in the school system?”
“I understand that other people here are fighting for other things, but we’re trying to fight for the innocence of our children.”
Bonnie Wallace, who has traveled the state protesting inappropriate materials, reminded the school board that state law prohibits the possession, acquisition, and purchase of harmful material, which includes vulgar and sexually explicit material, and that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission clearly states that library personnel must use these criteria when selecting library materials.
“The books that we’re talking about are all three of those things they talk about.” said Wallace. “They have QR codes to Grindr. Grindr’s a sex app that people [use to] hook up and have homosexual sex. There’s a disclaimer in one of the books—it says the authors and publisher expressly disclaim responsibility from any adverse effects which may result from the use of information contained in this book.”
While state lawmakers passed legislation in 2023 strengthening Texas’ prohibition on explicit materials for minors, additional legislation has already been filed to further state influence over the matter by requiring the State Board of Education to review and make determinations on books challenged by parents and community members.
Wallace told Texas Scorecard that the legislation can be further strengthened by setting a timeline for SBOE decisions and including “a requirement for challenged books to be immediately removed from the shelves during the entirety of the challenge process.”
The 89th Legislative Session begins on January 14.
